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Midwestern Adventures | Chicago

Tuesday, October 1, 2013


Rob and I got in the car on Saturday morning and set out to visit a new city. It's so weird to look at a map and discover the new places that are now just a long-ish drive away from your home. I'm so used to getting in the car and going to Charlottesville for the day or DC for the weekend, and it was fun to realize that, for a few hours more than it takes to get from Roanoke to Washington, we could be in Chicago.












On Saturday night we had a romantic dinner at a really cool sushi restaurant before seeing Phoenix play at The Aragon, and then we woke up on Sunday morning and sat outside with coffee at Intelligentsia. It felt like any other trip until we got to Millennium Park, where I unexpectedly got emotional at the sight of that huge bean.

Rob and I are a thousand miles from everything we know, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that we'd be so far from home. Minneapolis was never on my list of places to live, and Chicago wasn't even on my list of places to visit, and yet, standing there in Millennium Park with my hand in Rob's, looking at myself in the reflection of the sculpture, things suddenly felt like they were exactly the way they should be.







We stopped for a delicious lunch at Primehouse before heading back home. We got burgers with truffle fries and I had a Bloody Mary. Rob got an "Over Drive," which was a carrot-orange-ginger juice with vodka. It came in a cute little carafe and it was so good.

I'm obviously not that adventurous if I think that spending a weekend in one of the United States' largest cities is some kind of defining moment, but something happened while we were roaming the streets of Chicago. The weather was perfect and the sky was bright blue and I shed a bit of anxiety. I felt a bit more like myself (or maybe just the person I'd like to be), and I felt even more thankful for this man--the tall one who isn't afraid to drive in traffic--and for this life we're doing together.


20 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos of one of my favorite cities! I love thinking back to the time we lived there! Seems like a wonderful weekend trip and the weather looks perfect! xxx

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  2. That's awesome that Chicago's only a short drive away!

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  3. love the photos and your perspective on this chapter in your life XO

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  4. i love that defining moment. when you notice your perspective changing...it's so amazing!

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  5. i had no idea chicago was driveable from Minneapolis!!! That's awesome! Did you head over to Boystown? One of my favorite neighborhoods when I went to visit. Chicago is also home to my MOST favorite Cupcakery of ALL time, More. They have the most beautiful cupcakes, including a BLT one that I tried and reviewed a lonnnnggggg time ago, but it was wonderful! WHEN ARE YOU GOING BACK?!?!

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  6. Beautiful photos and I'm so happy that you are where you belong in life right now! I have always wanted to visit Chicago and this post is pushing me in that direction for sure!

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  7. I love this post. especially the part about shedding anxiety. it's interesting to see when and where those moments find us.

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  8. I love when life deals you a brand new hand of Eureka! I am never the same afterward. It makes me feel new and improved. I still get them and I love it.

    Your photos are beautiful and your weekends sounds so lovely and romantic.

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  9. Oh wow looks like you had an amazing time, such a beautiful and inspiring looking city, I love the shot of the apples at the end :)

    Laura x

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  10. Looks fab. I think it has more to do with the time in your life, not the location, you are feeling content and happy...grab it with both hands.

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  11. Seems like a great little trip! Glad you had a good time.

    The Rambling Fangirl

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  12. Beautiful post and Beautiful photos!
    Sounds like the trip was wonderful for you in several ways :)

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  13. This is one of my favorite cities! I can completely understand what you mean, too. Sometimes, if you just have the right person next to you, everything can feel right. xoxo

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  14. One of my favorite cities! And I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes you just need the right person standing next to you for everything feel right. xoxo

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  15. I finally just read this post! I love what you said about getting all emotional, unexpectedly enjoying a city not even on your radar, and then just being so glad. So, what are some places that ARE on your to visit list?

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  16. what gorgeous weather you had! I'm so glad things clicked for you this weekend :)

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  17. Chicago is one of my favorite places to visit. It's gorgeous, and you captured it well

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